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Paris: Holybelly

It is not easy to find a good breakfast place in Paris. Weekend brunch is very popular (too popular!) with Parisians, but it tends to be abundant, expensive and crowded.

Holybelly is something else: for a really good coffee, for a simple bowl of porridge on a weekday, or for their crazy-decadent panakes with bourbon butter on special occasions. It is busy on the weekend too, but still relaxed. While you wait, order a Flat “Walter” White made with coffee from the Belleville Brulerie, and try and snag the comfy sofa.

Last time I tasted the black rice porridge with coconut milk, divine. Eggs and sides are a constant, but their specials change every month, according to the seasonal ingredients chalked up on the blackboard. For November they posted “Leeks, Beetrooot, Jerusalem Artichokes…. Clementines, Grapefruit, Pomegranate, Apple…” Lunch is a choice between fish, meat , vegetarian or a cheese platter: mostly local, French produce; line-caught fish. The staff are friendly and all speak French and English. Just don’t ask for the pancake recipe, it’s top secret!